A Jeffreys Bay thief learnt the hard way that if the long arm of the law doesn’t get you, there’s no hope against the deep blue sea.

The man, suspected of petty crime on the beach tried to outrun, or rather outswim, law enforcement officers guarding the Supertubes surfing competition. With all escape routes blocked off, the cornered suspect chose the cold waters over a cold shower and headed straight for the waves.

Rieghard Janse van Rensburg, NSRI Jeffreys Bay station commander, said a sea rescue craft was launched after reports of a thief, who swam out to sea to avoid capture appeared to be in difficulty in the surf.

The suspect got as far as the behind the breaker line before realising the error of his ways. He swam back into the waiting arms of the law and was taken into custody.

Nidha Narrandes is a food-obsessed travel addict with 19 years of journalism experience. She is happiest on a road to nowhere without a plan. A masterchef at home, she can't do without chilli - because chilli makes the world a tastier place.